Went in for the 20k service, and test drove the cayenne turbo, panamera 4s and panamera 4. Wasnt going to bother with the v6 but it was given to me a loaner.
First the cayenne turbo, this is my second test drive, feels quicker this time around, perhaps because this one is equipped with summer tires, one less person in the car and I didnt just come out of a panamera test drive . Loved the interior, I liked it better than the p4s full leather interior. Everything felt rich and solid. The ****pit felt less airy than my 09 cayenne s.
Back to the acceleration, it feels quick but not Fast like a 911. Though by watching how quickly cars disappear in the mirror, I know I'm going 911 fast. I do feel the turbo lag, and never really know how much power is coming in the next second, perhaps this is due to my lack of experience with fi cars. Handling was good for a suv, but not like a GTS I drove last year. Overall it's a superb all around vehical.
Now on to the p4s, this was going to be my next car. Slightly slower than the Ctt, but quicker shifts and better handling, not to mention the love and envy you get from bystanders. The engine characteristic is similar to my cayenne, as they are prett much the same thing. There is always a sense of sluggishness and unsureness in the beginning, but once you get past the first 2-3krpm, it pulls hard and smooth. Plenty of power but sometimes I do hope for more after I floor the pedal. Speaking of the pedal feel, it feels like my cayenne. Not really precise, somewhat loose and flaky, compared to a 911 pedal. Which to me is tight, short travel distance and you know exactly how much power is coming out base on pressure.
Surprisingly the v6 was my favorite car. Power wise, I can hardly tell that it was slower than the p4s, it is, but not 100 horsepower slower. power delivery is instant and silky smooth. The pedal felt like a 911, it even sounds like one. Handling felt more natural.
I would still go for the p4s or even the Ctt, but for those who will be purchasing the v6 panamera, it is a great car and you arent missing 20k+ worth of fun from the v8s.

 

^great review, thanks, and I agree.

 

Good review. I love My P4 and I agree with you about the low RPM sluggishness.

 

Good comparison! But your the first person who said their GTS handled better then the new, lighter model CTT. So I wonder if the CTT did not have PDCC and PTV and the GTS did have it.
As for the v6 pana, it has the same acceleration times as a MB S550 and the previous model of bmw 750i, and faster then the audi a8.
So are you going to get one of these cars?

 

From what i remembered, the GTS cornered flatter, but ive only had about 30 mins in the ctt and the GTS, perhaps its not accurate. Not sure if the turbo had the pdcc /PTV. I did however spent over 4 hours driving in the p4s and p4. And p4 is impressive for what it is.
In the end, i think its between the CTT or the P4S for me. I hope some software tuning and exhaust upgrade will cure the "sluggish" feel in the lower rpms. The CTT is more attractive in terms of value and the p4s has a better driving experience.

 

Save some money man, get the 6 cyl, don't option it too much and you won't regret it.

Options kill you. Its a great vehicle, the non AWD version is even better if you can do without. But yea, image wise you also get the same Panny that the Turbo guys drive for 1/2 the price. Its a great grocery getter and good in bumper to bumper traffic. Plus you don't fill up a V8...and it is an AMAZING cruiser.

Its not a sports car though..my 335xi 6MT is more of a sports car than my Panamera. Thats just because of what it is -- a great GT cruiser...its not an agile little 3 series. 911 of course is a sports car, so is a moot comparison -- it has no back seats, trunk etc etc...not practical though a nice frog-looking sports car it is.



I've said it before and I'll say it again: THe Panamera 4 6CYL is technically an underpriced car...it should be another 10-20 K more expensive, but ISNT because it has a V6 and "300 HP". However its abilities, status etc are equivalent to a car easily 10-30 K more expensive. Also technically, because the Panamera is so light...the V6 matches a lot of those V8 large cars in acceleration at least until 120 KMPH or so....beyond which you're into illegal speeds. So even there it does not suffer.

Panamera 6 CYL is the smartest and best value in the luxury segment...handling and unique status of a Porsche alone destroy the competition. Everyone has a 3 series, 1 series, C class, A3 these days. Where does this leave the S, 7, and A8?

 

Agree with both of these comments.

Also I have to say that the P4 in gears 2-4 (auto) and at low RPMs feels a bit sluggish. Once you get past 30-35 MPH it is very quick. Others feel the same? Would like to get more comments on this particular issue.

 

What kind of MPG are you guys getting with the 6cyl? Both city driving and Hwy...

 

I agree w u at low rpm the gear is sluggish. Espesially during bumper to bumper traffic. But thats the only complain i hv about my P4......the best sedan /GT in the market. Nothing even come close ( for now)

 

My mileage on my last 2 tank fulls has been right at 23 mpg. This is basic commuting with about 40-50% at 75 mph, 30-40% in street driving (lights, 35-40 mph zones) and the rest (about 10-20% (probably closer to 10%) in stop and go freeway gridlock of Southern Cal. When I first to the get it filled up and just drive straight freeway at 75 mph the full tank range is well over 500 miles. Not bad in my opinion. It does guzzle some gas when I drive a moderately steep hill for a 2-3 miles going home.

 

what are your thoughts between the v6 and the v6 P4 ??? The v6 is lighter than them all. Is it true that the v6 goes from 0 to 60 in 6.8 seconds ??? Now that is SLOW.

i have a Mercedes (2007) s550sport and a Mercedes (2011) CLS 550 and both are fine regarding performance, especially the CLS, which is my DD and my wife has the s550 as her DD, that I drive on the weekends with the family.

i am looking to replace my CLS (got in Dec '10) with a Panni or a mercedes CL 550

 

The P2 goes from 0-62mph in 6.3s (6.1s w lauch control) 6.8s is for the manual transmission.

P2 actually handles better then the v8 cause its lighter and the engine is closer to the middle of the car.

If u wanna compare S550, CLS550...compare those cars to the V8 P2s or P4S and not the V6. The P2S will out accelerate, handles and dazzle the MB on any given day IMO. But the MB are good cars none the less.